Three-phase refurbishment underway at Willand Rovers Football Club

COMMUNITY sports groups look set to benefit from a five-figure grant which is transforming Willand Rovers Football Club.

The three-phase refurbishment began with the delivery of a new 60ft changing room, which is causing a stir in the village.

The project has been one year in the making and also includes plans for a new toilet block and function room.

All the work is being funded by a £86,500 grant from Viridor Credits Environmental Company and club members say they are willing to share their good fortune and stress that the new facilities will also be available to the public.

Project manager Caroline Dummet said the new changing rooms, which are big enough for two separate teams, should be up and running next week with the whole refurbishment hopefully being completed before the end of the year.

She added: “The old changing rooms were 50 years old and well worn and used because of the amount of teams we have, so to get these new units is just amazing for the club. We have never been able to get something like this before.

“To get this grant is such a buzz and it is not just about the club we have a lot of people wanting to hold parties, weddings and wakes here and with this sort of grant we can offer this to the community.

“The primary school is forever growing so we are looking at them coming over to do their football training once or twice a month.

“We are there to be used by Willand and the surrounding communities. We have people coming from all over.

“I would love to have it all done before Christmas because we have a Santa run to raise money for the football club and it would be great to have the function room done for then.

“It is so nice to have a little village like Willand get something so big and we are all so keen to have people come and use it and also come and see the changing rooms. Please don’t hesitate to come and have a look because this is something that other clubs can apply for.”